Investigation of E. coli Outbreak Associated with Leafy Greens Comes to an End with Only One Positive Environmental Sample Found

FDA closed the investigation of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak related to leafy greens that was reported back in October of 2020 by the CDC.  The outbreak which affected 40 people in 19 different states and was officially ended in December of 2020 was linked to leafy greens form Salinas, CA, however an intense investigation failed to identify the specific source.  The only significant finding -  "the outbreak strain in a sample of cattle feces collected on a roadside about a mile upslope from a produce farm.

FDA In Brief: Leafy Greens E. coli Outbreak Investigation Concludes, Identifies Environmental Sample with Recurring Outbreak Strain | FDA
FDA In Brief: Leafy Greens E. coli Outbreak Investigation Concludes, Identifies Environmental Sample with Recurring Outbreak Strain
January 27, 2021

Insects as Food in the Future - Allergens for Some May Be a Concern

In a recent study, researchers investigated the allergen concerns with insects.  Insects are consumed in many parts of the world, and many view them as becoming a bigger component of our diet in the future.  There are many start-ups in the US focused on developing food products using bugs, and in the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) just approved golden mealworms safe for consumption.

But because insects are related to crustacean shellfish, there would be similar allergen concerns.  “Shellfish allergies affect up to three per cent of people globally, but varies according to age and region, and there’s a good chance that people allergic to shellfish will also react to insects.”


https://www.ecu.edu.au/news/latest-news/2021/01/putting-bugs-on-the-menu-safely
Putting bugs on the menu, safely
Thursday, 28 January 2021

CNBC- How the KitchenAid stand mixer became a status symbol

 This is an interesting video on the KitchenAid stand mixer and how it has become the standard for the home baker.

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/01/23/how-the-kitchenaid-stand-mixer-became-a-status-symbol.html

Allowable R&D Tax Credits Can Help Fund Your Technical Projects and Programs

 I recently attended a recent seminar by Leyton, a group that provides support for companies to take advantage of R&D Tax Credits.  R&D tax credits were established by the Federal government to promote technical innovation and development within industries such as the food industry.  The Federal R&D tax credit has a start up and small business provision which helps to offset FICA for annual payroll taxes.  And some states also offer some form of the R&D Tax credit, so companies can actually get both Federal & State Tax credit  

I came to see that many technical / food safety projects and programs that food companies are looking to implement could potentially be written off from taxes allowing companies to better afford and support these initiatives.   For example, it may be possible to deduct expenditures as a company implements a third audit compliance system, develops a pathogen monitoring program, or installs IT-intensive traceability systems.  Allowable expenditures could include staffing, consultants, equipment, and supplies.

There are certain criteria that must be met to qualify, but I think it is worth investigating if you or your company are considering or planning to improve your company’s capabilities.  I was not aware of this potential tax deduction, and my guess, your financial people may also not be aware.

Popcorn Recalled for Milk Allergens when Cheddar Flavored Labeled as Butter Flavored

Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc. is recalling one specific lot of 8 oz. bags labeled as Butter Flavored Popcorn were filled with cheddar flavored popcorn. The error resulted in a undeclared milk being present.  But wait, wouldn't butter flavor have milk allergens just like the cheddar flavored popcorn?  Not, the butter flavor is just the flavor chemicals and oil, not real butter.

(Source: FDA - https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bickels-snack-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-specific-lot-butter-flavored-popcorn)

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bickels-snack-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-specific-lot-butter-flavored-popcorn
Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Specific Lot of Butter Flavored Popcorn
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 25, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Bickel’s Snack Foods
Product Description:  Butter Flavored Popcorn

Single-Serve Coffee Cups Recalled After Allergens Left Off the Packaging

Door County Coffee & Tea Co of Sturgeon Bay, WI, is recalling its 5.1 ounce packages of French Vanilla Flavored Cappuccino Single Serve Cups because they may contain undeclared Milk and Soy.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product contains Milk and Soy was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of these allergens. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a printing omission on the packaging.

As a control to prevent this type of issue, incoming packaging should always be reviewed for label content, including allergen correctness.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/door-county-coffee-tea-co-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-and-soy-french-vanilla-flavored
Door County Coffee & Tea Co Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Soy in French Vanilla Flavored Cappuccino Single Serve Cups
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 21, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product may contain undeclared milk and soy.
Company Name:  Door County Coffee & Tea Co.
Brand Name:  Door County Coffee & Tea Co.
Product Description:  French Vanilla Flavored Cappuccino Single Serve Cups

Bottles of Tartar Sauce Recalled Due to a Potential Spoilage Issue

House-Autry Mills, Inc. , a North Carolina based Food Company, is recalling several lots of its Tartar Sauce after the co-packer identified a potential spoilage situation.  This is said to be a precautionary recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/house-autry-mills-announces-voluntary-recall-house-autry-tartar-sauce-due-spoilage
House-Autry Mills Announces Voluntary Recall of House-Autry Tartar Sauce Due to Spoilage
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:   Spoilage
Company Name:  House-Autry Mills, Inc.
Brand Name:  House-Autry
Product Description:  Tartar Sauce

Retailer Issues Recall for Steam-in-Bag Vegetables Due to Supplier Recall of Butternut Squash with Potential Listeria Contamination

The Florida based retailer Publix is recalling steam-in-bag vegetable products after their supplier, Pero Family Farms had issued a recall for butternut squash due to potential Listeria contamination.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/publix-steam-bag-product-recall
Publix Steam In Bag Product Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 14, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 21, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Brand Name:  Publix
Product Description:  Steam in bag products containing butternuts squash

Bags of Potato Chips Recalled for Allergens After 50 Bags Packed with Wrong Product

Frito-Lay today issued a recall for 50 bags of 13 1/2 oz. “Party Size” bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips because after it was discovered that the 50 bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips were inadvertently filled with potato chips of another flavor and thus had an undeclared allergen, in this case, milk.

You may 'recall' that last month, Frito Lay received a Warning Letter from FDA for  poor allergen control procedures that had resulted in two allergen-related recalls.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-small-number-ruffles-original-potato-chips-0
Frito-Lay Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Small Number of Ruffles Original Potato Chips
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 21, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 21, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Frito Lay
Brand Name:  Ruffles
Product Description:  Potato Chips